WASHINGTON: According to US President Joe Biden, there is still a significant distance to cover before Israel and Saudi Arabia can achieve a normalization agreement. This potential agreement would entail a defense treaty and a civilian nuclear program facilitated by the United States. The US has been engaged in negotiations with the aim of reaching this elusive normalization deal between the two nations.
Biden stated during the interview with “Fareed Zakaria’s GPS” that there is much to discuss. The two countries are still far from reaching an agreement.
Last month, Israel’s energy minister expressed opposition to the notion of Saudi Arabia developing a civilian nuclear program as part of any US-brokered rapprochement between the two countries.
US President Joe Biden commenced a three-nation tour, beginning with a stop in London.
Before his visit to Saudi Arabia last summer, Biden praised the opening of Saudi airspace, enabling increased overflights of Israel.
The US president mentioned efforts toward achieving a lasting ceasefire in Yemen. Thousands of deaths resulted from the widely viewed conflict, which is considered a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Biden highlighted regional progress and linked Israel’s recognition to its behavior and meeting certain demands.
Israel’s religious-nationalist government has acknowledged setbacks in the normalization process, as Saudi Arabia has criticized its policies towards the Palestinians.
However, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen expressed optimism regarding the recent participation of an Israeli delegation in a video-gaming tournament hosted in Riyadh over the weekend. He commended the inclusion of the delegation and expressed his belief in the establishment of full relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The relations would encompass economic cooperation, intelligence sharing, tourism, and flights, sooner or later.
NATO Summit
On his three-nation trip, US President Joe Biden will attend a NATO summit in Lithuania with a primary focus on demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, without yet granting Ukraine membership in the alliance.
Biden will first meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street in London on Monday. King Charles would host a meeting with the President at Windsor Castle following the visit.
Subsequently, Biden will travel to Vilnius, Lithuania, on Monday night to engage in discussions with NATO leaders. The objective is to demonstrate support for Ukraine. It also aims to provide Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with an understanding of the steps required for eventual NATO membership.
In a CNN interview prior to his trip, Biden cautioned against rushing Ukraine’s entry into NATO. He also expressed concerns that the alliance could become involved in a conflict with Russia due to a mutual defense pact.
